Traveling bag



O. SINGER TRAVELING BAG lMaly 27 1924.

Filed Jan. 29

3 Sheets-Svhet 2 May 27. 1924. 1,495,209

O. SINGER TRAVELING BAG vFiled Jan. 29. 1923 s sheets-SMQ s 050cv" ngern., nl mm By Patented May 27, 1924.

UNITED S OSCAR sINeEa, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIeNOaTO SINGER Bacs. lCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COIARTNERsI-IIP.

TRAVELING BAG.-

Application filed January 29, 1923., Serial No. 615,58`8.

T 0 all whom 'it may concern.' Be it known that I, OSCAR SINGER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Traveling Bags, of which the following is a specification.`

This invention relates in general to improvements in traveling bags butmore specifically to an improved re-enforcing or bracing meansparticularly adapted though .not necessarily limited in its use with thetype of bag commonly known as Gladstone bags.

Heretofore in bags of this character when vrthe same is beingtransported by the handle, all of the strain .or weight of the contentsof the bag is exerted upon'the lock or fastening means which is locatedupon the top bar of the frame and to which frame. bar the handle is alsoconnected. with the result that eventually the lock will become injuredand the frame bar becomes distorted or sprung out of shape especially ifheavy loads are frequently carried in the bag.

To Overcome these difficulties and objections and to provide. improvedre-enforcing or bracing means for the fastening carrying bar of theframe, thereby relieving the lock and fastening means from strain, isone of the objects of the present invention.

A further object is to provide an im.- proved device or means of thischaracter which will also serve as a means to prevent the fra-me fromcollapsing or becoming crushed when weight or pressure is appliedexterior of the bag,

further Objectis to provide improved re-enforcing or bracing means ofthis character which may be readily disconnected or adjusted whendesiredso that the same may be moved into a position out of the way so as notto interfere with the removal of articles from the bag or the placing ofarticles tliereinto.

A further object is to'provide improved re-enforcing or bracing means ofthis character which will be of a simple, durable,

cheap and light construction, adapted to beI compactly arranged when notlin use and which may be readily applied to any bag of this character ortype.

To the attainment of these ends and the of the invention.

accomplishment of other new and,y useful objects' as Awill appear, theyinvention conf 'sists in the featuresfof novelty in substan tially theconstruction, combination and arrangement of the several partshereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in theaccompanying drawings illustrating this invention and in which Figure 1is a top plan viewvof a traveling COMPANY, or

bag showing the same open, and v having a re-enforcing meansconstructed'in accordance with the principles of thisA invention appliedthereto. i I

Figure 2 is a lon taken on line 2-2,?`Figure 11.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 3-3,.Figure1..v Figure iis an" enlarged; detail sectional view 'taken on line 'll-4, Figure 1.

' Figure 5 isaj' topy plan view of aportion'of i one side of the bagsl.rowing7 afmodiiedform FigureV 6 is Aa detail sectional View takenOnline G-6Figure5.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1 of i still anotherform of therinvention.,v

Figure 8 vis al view, partly in elevation and partly insection, showingthe bag partly Figure 7, andwithV partsomitted Figure 9 is an enlargeddetail sectional view taken on line 9"-9, Figure?.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view as taken on linelOlO,Figure 7 fritudinal sectional view closed? and as taken along the line8---8,

Figure 11 isa View similar to Figure 1 vofanother form of the invention.

Figure 12 is a sectional view` on line 12-12, Figure.11.

Figure 13 is a of the brace bar.

Referring more particularly to the draw ing and as usual in' bags ofthis type, there are provided two frames which ar-e'condetailperspectivev view:

nected together alongfonel edge for pivotal movement. one' with respectto the other.

one of the frames embodying a fastening device carrying member 10towliich the usual handle 11 1s secured and `side inembers 12, which arepivotally connected by means of suitable hinges 13,' with the sidemembers 14 of the frame' member 15.` To the frame member 10`is connected'the usual lock 16 and if desired suitable and the usual fasteningdevices 17 may also be connected`- with the member 10. (lo-operatingwith the lock 16 are the usual eyes or staple members 18, andco-operating members 19 are provided for the fastening devices 17.4

A connecting bar 2O extends across the frame members intermediate thehinges 13 and forms the base or support for the contents of the bag asis usual in devices of this character.

When the bag is iilled and closed and the same is transported by thehandle 11, all strain from the Weight of the contents' of the bag isexerted upon the lock 16 and the fastening devices 17, if the latter areemployed, with the result that eventually the locky will become injuredand the frame member 10 Will become distorted or .sprung out of shape.

Similarly when the bag is closed and Weight or pressure is exerted uponthe frame 10 from the outside of the bag the strain is exerted upon thelock or fastening device and the frame member 10 Will also be distortedyor sprung out of shape.

In order to overcome these objections suitable re-enforcing or bracingmeans are employed and in the form shown in Figures 1 to 4, the bracingmeans embodies a pair of bars or braces 21, Which may be constructedofany suitable material but preferably of metal or some rigid yetslightly flexible material. One end of each kof these bars or braces 21is connected in any suitable manner preferably by means of an eye 22(see particularly Figure 3) AWith each of the side members 12 of theframe by passing through a suitable opening 23 in the respective members12. vThe other end of the braces or bars 21 are detac-hably anchored inVany. suitable manner With `the frame member 10, adjacent the lock 16 andon each side thereof.-

As a suitable means for fastening the free endsv of the bars or braces21 there may be provided a stud 24 of any suitable construction butpreferably of a slightly yielding nature. and the extremity of each ofthebars or 4braces 21 is provided With an aperture .25 therethroughadapted t0 receive the stud 24 by passing the apertured end of the baror brace over the stud.

It Will thus be manifest that With these bars or braces 21 secured inthe position as shovvn in Figure 1, and When the bag is closed andlifted by the handle 11, the bars 0r braces 21 will prevent the WeightWithin the bag from exerting its entire strain upon the lock, as thebraces will distribute the strain to the member 10 and away from thelock. vWhen the bag is resting upon its edge and other articles arepiled upon the bag or pressure is exerted upon the member 1() of theframe ythe braces 21 Will also serve to prevent the member 10 from beingsprung or distorted.

When it is desired, one end of each of the bars or braces may bedetached by disengaging the extremity from the stud 24, after which thebars or braces may be folded With respect to and into the bag into thepositionsliown in dotted linesin Figure 1. i

Arranged Within the bag is a partition or Hap 26, which is connectedalong one edge preferably to the bar 20. This partition or flap isprovided with supplemental flaps 27, to receive articles thereunder andis adapted to be positioned to rest upon either of the Iframes of thevbag when the bag is open. l/Vhen the bag is closed, the flap 26 engagesand rests against the bars or braces 2l, Which latter, extending acrossthe frame, serve as a means for supporting the flap 26 and therebypreventing the iap from being crushed. Should the articles under theflap 27 cause the same to bulge, the bars or braces 21 Will notinterfere therewith but the bulging portion Will project between thebars or braces 21.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 5, there is provided asingle bar or brace which preferably consists of sections 28-29pivotally connected as atl 30. The free end of the section 28 ispivotally anchored as at 31 with the frame member 10 and the freeextremity of the section 29 is provided With an aperture 32 over which,if desired, a cap 83 may be arranged.

Secured to the bar 20 is an ear or projection 34- Which has mountedthereupon a suitable stud 35, preferably of a yielding nature and Whichstud 35 is adapted to pass into the opening 32 in the end of the section29 of the brace to receive the cap` 33, thereby detachably anchoring thefree end of the section 29.

In this form of the invention the member 10 of the frame Which carriesthe fastening device 16 is braced directly from a point diametricallyopposite to the pivot 31 and preferably from the bar 20.

When the fla 26, in this/form of the invention, is fol ed over the framesection containing the brace, the brace or re-enforcing bar Will serveas an additional support for the flap 26.

Vhen not in use or when it is desired to detach the brace. the freeextremity of the section 2.9 of the brace detached from the stud 85,after which the sections 28 and 29 may be folded as indicated in dottedlines in Figure and moved to a position that they will pass beneath theadjacent portion of the frame member 10.

Obviously this form of brace Will also serve as a means for preventingthe frame member 1() from being distorted When the bag is closed andpressure is exerted from the outside of the bag.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 7 to 10, the bars orbraces 36 are pivotally connected by one extremity as at 37 in anydesired or suitable manner such as by means of an eye which passesloosely Athrough an ear or clip 38, and which latter is secured to thebar 39 which extendsacross the lbase or the back between the two hingedsections 40-41 and intermediate the hinges 13. This bar 39 re-enforcesor braces the bottom and serves as a means for supporting the weight ofthe contents of the bag.

The ears or clips 38 may be secured at any desired point throughout Vthelength of the bar 39 and are fastened thereto in any suitable manner. f

vThe free end of each of the braces 36 is adapted to be detachablyconnected with the frame member 10 of the section 40 and any suitablefastening means may be provided for that purpose 'To that end there maybe provided a stud 42 which is adapted to enyter'an aperture 43 in theend of the bar or brace 36 and yield slightly so that the end of the baror brace may be' snapped thereover and as readily disengaged from thestud.

With this improved construction it will be manifest that the bar 39 willbe braced and re-enforced by the bars or braces 36` to prevent the bar39 from sagging or becoming distorted when the strain o-f the weight ofthe contents of the bagis exerted thereupon when the bag is lifted bythe handle 11. Similarly, the member 42 of the frame 10 will also bere-enforced or braced by the bars or braces 36 when the bag is lifted'by the handle.

Thesebraces or bars 36 also serve as a means for preventing distortionor springing of the bar 39 and thevframe member 1Q,

when pressure is exerted upon the bag from the exterior thereof.L

When not in'use the free extremities of the bars or braces 36 may bedetached from the respective studs 42 and folded into the bag in theposition shown in dotted lines in Figure 7.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 11 to 13, the brace bar 44is of a length slightly greater than the width of the partition or flap45.

As shown in Figure 11, two of these braces A are employed and the flapor partition 45 is secured thereto in any suitable mannerv beneath thematerial or covering for the partition so as not to interfere with theiiaps or pockets 46-47, which are preferably disposed on opposite sidesof the partition. Each of these braces 44 is connected with the bar 39preferably by means of a hinge 48, one portion 49 of the hinge beinganchored to the bar 39. y

The free extremity of the brace 44 is deflected' laterally as at 50 andshaped to form a downwardly opening hook shaped portion51. This hook andthe portion 50 of the brace is disposed beyond the free edge 52 of theAflap 45 and is adapted to engage over the edge 53 of the frame member10, and which edge 53 is arranged perpendicular to the body portion ofthe frame member 10.`

The edge 53 of the member 10 is so disposed that when the frame membersofthe bag areclosed the edge 54 of the frame member 15 willY beoverlapped by the edge 53 oftheA member 10, as shown in Figure 12, andthe edge 54 will engage and rest upon the braces 44 adjacent the edge 52of the flap or partition 45. vThisconstruction will permit the framemembers 15 and `10 toy be held in proper position` witherespect to eachother and against lateral springing movement inwardly' when the framemembers are closed.

The braces 44 serve as a means for supporting the iap or partition 45and being disposed beneath the pockets 46 and 47 will not interfere withthe placing of articles in the pockets and especially the pocket 47, andwhich articles may cause the pockets to bulge outwardly.

In this form 'of the invention it will be manifest that the portion 53of the frame member 10 to which the handle 11 is secured will bere-enforoed or braced directly from the bar 39 and will prevent theframe member 10 or any portion thereof from springing out of shape orbecoming distorted un-` der the stress of the weight. within the bag.Furthermore the braces will re-enforce the frame member 10 yas well as`the bar 39 against being distorted when the strain or pressure isexerted upon the bag from the exterior thereof. VFurthermore the braces44 will not interfere with the turningof the flap or partition 45 from aposition extending acrossl one of the frame members to ar position toextend across Vthe other frame member when the bag is open as shown inFigure 11. f

While the preferred forms ofthe invention have been herein shown anddescribed` it is to be understood that various changes rmay be madeinthe details of construction claims, without departing from the spiritof this invention.

That is claimed as new is 1. A bag of the character described embodyingframes connected for pivotal movement one with relation to the other, alocking device carried by one of the members of one of the frames, and are-enforcing bar or brace pivotally connected at one of its `ends tooneof the members of the frame,

said baror brace extending across the frame and connected at its otherend to the lock carrying frame member for restraining the last saidmember against deflection, one of the ends of the said bar or bracebeing detachable with relation to its respective trame member.

2. A bag of the character described embodying co-operating iframesconnected together along one edge' for hinged movement one with relationto the other, fastening means for the free edges of the frames, a memberextending across the frames adjacent the hinged edges and stationarywith respect to one of the frames, and a re-enforcing bar or braceextending across that frame which is movable with respect to the saidmember, means pivotally anchoring one end of the bar or brace, and meansdetachably anchoring the other end of the bar or brace.

3. A bag of the character described embodying frames connected togetherat one edge for hinged movement one with relation to the other, astationary member eX- tending across the frames adjacent their hingededges and in a direction lengthwise of the pivot of the frames, a bar orbrace eX- tending across one of the frames from the said stationarymember to that frame member which is opposite thereto, means pivot allyconnecting one end of the bar or brace with the said stationary member,and means detachably connecting the other end of the bar or brace withthe last recited frame member.

4. A bag of the character described embodying co-operating framesconnected together along one edge for hinged movement one with respectto the other, a member eX- tending across the frames adjacent the hingededges, a handle, connected with one of the frame members opposite to thefirst recited member, a re-eniforcing brace hingedly connected with thefirst recited member, and means detachably connectingrthe free end ofthe brace with the said handle carrying frame member.

5. A bag of the character described embodying rco-operating framesconnected together along one edge for hinged movement one with respectto the other, a member eX- tending across the frames adjacent the hingededges, a handle connected with one of the frame members opposite to thefirst recited member, a ive-enforcing brace hingedly connected with therst recited member, and a hook shaped portion at the free end Y of saidbrace adapted to detachably engage jacent saidmember, a bracing memberconnected with the flap, means pivotally anchoring one endof saidbracing member to the first recited member, the other end of the'braeingmember extending beyond the opposite edge of the iiap, and meansdetach-ably kanchoring the free end of said bracing member to a framemember opposite to the AFirst recited member.

v 7. A 4bag of the character described embodying co--operating framesconnected together along one edge for hinged movement one with relation'to the other,` a member eX- tendmg across the frames adjacent said edge,

a. flap yflexibly secured along one edge ad-v` jacent said member, abracing member connectedA with the Hap, means pivotally anchoring oneend of said bracing member to the iirst recited member, the other end ofthe bracing member extending beyond the opposite edge of the flap,andmeans connected A.with the 'free end of said bracing member positethe said bar, and a Hap connected with` the said brace and movabletherewith, said flap serving as a closure for one of the bag sections,the free edge of the other frame member adapted to engage a portion ofthe brace when the frame members are closed with respect to each other.

9. A bag of the character described embodying frame members connectedtogether at one edge for hinged movement one with relation to the other,a bar or member eX- ltending across the frames adjacent the said hingedconnection, a brace pivotally connected by one end to the said bar,means at the free end of the brace for detachably connecting said endwith a frame member opposite the said bar, and a iiap connected with thesaid brace and movable therewith, said flap serving as a closure for oneof the bag sections, the free yedge oi' the other frame member adaptedto engage and rest against a portion of the brace when the frame members are closed with respect to each other` a portion of one of theframe members being adapted to overlap a portion of the other frame andadjacent the detachably anchored end of the brace.

10. A bag of the character described embodying co-operating framesconnected together along one edge for hinged movement one with relationto the other, a member eX- bracing member to a frame member opposite tothe firstrecited' member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 10 name to this specification onthis 22 day of January, A. D. 1923.

OSCAR SINGER.

